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When I was about thirteen I found myself at a crossroads, although I didn't know it. I was in with a group of people who eventually got in trouble and spent some time in jail. I was briefly suspended from school for setting off some fireworks in a garbage can that happened to be full of wax paper milk cartons. My school could have burned down. Luckily it didn't. I was clearly making some bad decisions.

I had another friend who was taking sailing lessons. He invited me to go with him one time. I became hooked on sailing and, in time, became heavily in demand as a crew member. I eventually competed in the Olympic trials and world championships. I believe that for me the crossroads was, that at thirteen I found something in which I wanted to excel. For some it may be athletics, others may pursue academics. But the important part is to have a goal that can give your life a positive focus.

posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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During all of my working years I enjoyed excellent health and dental insurance and, in fact, rarely even thought about it. I just went to the doctor when I needed to and the bills were paid. I have led a very active lifestyle including backpacking, cross county skiing and several bicycle/camping tours exceeding 1000 miles.

When I retired early five years ago I had a wake up call. I was not able to obtain health insurance because I was taking blood pressure medication which had been very succesfully controlling my pressure for over ten years. I was forced to buy insurance from my former public sector employer through COBRA at a very high monthly rate. My wife and daughter also obtained a very inadequate insurance policy with a $5000 annual deductable. Very high cost but no coverage for routine doctor visits.

After a few months of paying for my coverage I realized that as a 10% disabled veteran I was eligible for VA health services. As soon as I started with the VA I received a very complete exam in which they discovered a congenital heart problem that had never been detected by any doctors before. After four years with the VA I suddenly experienced severe breathing problems that were diagnosed as congestive heart failure. The VA scheduled surgery and repaired a damaged heart valve. 

I feel extremely lucky to have a very good outcome from all of this. I feel a little guilty that it cost me practically nothing. But most of all I am extremely grateful to the doctors and staff at the VA for their life saving care. 

I am strongly in favor of a "public option" in the pending healthcare legislation; in fact I strongly favor a single payer approach to health care. I am very afraid of a health insurance industry that puts profits first. I am not afraid of a government run healthcare system and believe that the health insurance industry and the fee for service system are the major reasons that healthcare in this country is failing us.

Sincerely,

Dennis Maxwell

posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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Serena Boston called at my house during her recent campaign for office. I was planning to vote for her opponent but after speaking with her it became a very difficult choice between two worthy candidates.

Her ability to communicate, her poise, and her knowledge of the issues won me over and I did vote for her. I believe she can be a very effective leader and I look forward to seeing her continue in public life.

I am a white male but I will always vote for the best candidate regardless of race or gender. Given candidates of equal quality I will usually vote for the minority person because I want to diversify the voices in our public leadership.

Thank you for another good topic today.

Dennis Maxwell

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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Just reading a few of the replies posted I see a lot of dislike for "World Have your Say." Add me to that chorus.

I would like to hear some on the air discussion about OPB programming content. In recent years weekday programming has moved away from a mix of news and information and music. I believe that your new evening broadcast has completed the complete removal of music from OPB's weekday programming. I miss "Performance Today" and the other excellent music that I used to hear. KBOO and KBPS just don't cut it for me.

I have been an OPB member for over 30 years and I can't remember the last time I saw a survey of the membership about what we would like to hear. Instead we get to hear the latest ideas from the programming director. The last few times I have sent email to OPB I received a "thanks for your interest in OPB" reply. The last such email response prompted me to call membership services and reduce my monthly contribution and shift it to OPB television.

posted 5 years, 4 months ago
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